[Ry1997]

1994-95 NHL season

Regular Season Summary
Presidents' Trophy Winner: Winnipeg Jets (29-11-8, 66 PTS)
Top Teams by Division:
Adams: Toronto Maple Leafs (28-15-5, 61 PTS)
Patrick: Philadelphia Flyers (26-14-8, 60 PTS)
Norris: Detroit Red Wings (29-14-5, 63 PTS)
Smythe: Winnipeg Jets (29-11-8, 66 PTS)
Wildcard Teams: Buffalo Sabres, NY Islanders, Birmingham Bulls, Edmonton Oilers

Wales Conference
Adams Division
Toronto Maple Leafs 28-15-5 61 PTS (P)
Boston Bruins 26-17-5 57 PTS (P)
Montreal Canadiens 23-23-2 48 PTS (P)
Hartford Whalers 20-25-3 43 PTS
Ottawa Senators 19-34-5 43 PTS
Tampa Bay Lightning 26-27-6 36 PTS
Quebec Nordiques 13-33-2 28 PTS
Florida Panthers 10-30-8 28 PTS

Patrick Division
Philadelphia Flyers 26-14-8 60 (P)
Pittsburgh Penguins 25-17-6 56 (P)
NJ Devils 24-18-6 54 PTS (P)
Buffalo Sabres 24-19-5 53 PTS (WC)
NY Islanders 23-28-7 53 PTS (WC)
NY Rangers 24-20-4 52 PTS
Cincinnati Stingers 24-20-4 52 PTS
Washington Capitals 24-23-1 49 PTS

Campbell Conference
Norris Division
Detroit Red Wings 29-14-5 63 PTS (P)
St. Louis Blues 29-16-3 61 PTS (P)
Houston Aeros 27-14-7 61 PTS (P)
Birmingham Bulls 22-24-2 46 PTS (WC)
Colorado Avalanche 28-23-7 43 PTS
Minnesota North Stars 14-27-7 35 PTS
Chicago Blackhawks 12-35-1 25 PTS

Smythe Division
Winnipeg Jets 29-11-8 66 PTS (P)
LA KIngs 28-17-3 59 PTS (P)
San Jose Sharks 24-21-3 51 PTS (P)
Edmonton Oilers 22-23-3 47 PTS (WC)
Vancouver Canucks 21-25-2 44 PTS
Calgary Flames 15-29-4 34 PTS
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 15-31-2 32 PTS


Hardest & Easiest Divisions
- Hardest Division: Norris Division
- Three teams finished with 61+ points (Detroit, St. Louis, Houston).
- Even the wildcard team, Birmingham, had a respectable 46 points.
- This division had the most competitive battle at the top.

-Easiest Division: Adams Division
- No team had more than 61 points.
- The third playoff team (Montreal) had only 48 points, the lowest of any division.
- Weak bottom teams (Quebec and Florida tied at 28 points).

Playoffs Recap
Playoffs Division Champions
Adams Division: Toronto Maple Leafs
Patrick Division: Buffalo Sabres
Norris Division: St. Louis Blues
Smythe Division: LA Kings
Conference Champions:
Wales Conference:Buffalo Sabres
Campbell Conference: St. Louis Blues
Stanley Cup Winner: Buffalo Sabres
defeated the Blues to claim the championship.

Major Award Winners

Hart Trophy: Mairo Lemieux (PIT)
Art Ross Trophy: Mairo Lemieux (PIT)
Ted Lindsay Award Winner: Mairo Lemieux (PIT)
Norris Trophy: Nicklas Lidstrom (DET)
Vezina Trophy: Dominik Hasek (DET)
Jennings Trophy: Dominik Hasek (DET)
Calder Trophy: Sergei Gonchar (CIN)
Conn Smythe Trophy: Timo Jutila (BUF)
Frank J. Selke Trophy: Kris Draper (PHI)
Lady Byng Trophy: Brian Savage (WPN)
Bill Masterton Trophy: Mike Gartner (WAS)
Jack Adams Trophy: Ken Hitchcock (CIN)

Buffalo Sabres' Legendary 1995 Stanley Cup Run 🏆🦬

The Buffalo Sabres pulled off a historic and emotional Stanley Cup championship run, overcoming adversity and making one of the most impressive comebacks in NHL playoff history. Led by Conn Smythe winner Timo Jutila, goaltending brilliance, and clutch performances, the Sabres captured their first Stanley Cup after shocking the hockey world.

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🔹 Round 1: Wales Conference Quarterfinals
Buffalo Sabres (WC) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (Patrick Division Champions)
- Series Result: Sabres win 4-3
- Key Storyline: Down 3-1 in the series, Buffalo staged a dramatic comeback, stunning the heavily favored Flyers.
- Game 5 (BUF 4-2 PHI): Chris Terrier stood on his head, and Alexander Mogilny led the offense.
- Game 6 (BUF 3-1 PHI): Buffalo neutralized Lindros, forcing a Game 7.
- Game 7 (BUF 2-1 OT PHI): A legendary overtime goal by Pat LaFontaine sealed the upset, completing the comeback from 3-1 down.

🔸 Series MVP: Chris Terrer (unreal saves under pressure)
🔸 Biggest Moment: LaFontaine's Game 7 OT Winner silenced the Philadelphia crowd.

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🔹 Round 2: Patrick Division Finals
Buffalo Sabres vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
- Series Result: Sabres sweep 4-0
- Key Storyline: Buffalo shocked the powerhouse Penguins, shutting down Mario Lemieux, Hull and Jagr with relentless defensive pressure.
- Game 1 (BUF 4-3 PIT OT): Timo Jutila’s OT goal set the tone.
- Game 2 (BUF 5-2 PIT): A dominant offensive explosion put Buffalo in control.
- Game 3 (BUF 3-0 PIT): Terreri’s shutout crushed Pittsburgh’s morale.
- Game 4 (BUF 4-3 PIT): Sabres complete the sweep, stunning the hockey world.

🔸 Series MVP: Timo Jutila (big goals and elite shutdown play)
🔸 Biggest Moment: Terreri's Game 3 shutout—an all-time playoff performance.

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🔹 Round 3: Wales Conference Finals
Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
- Series Result: Sabres win 4-3
- Key Storyline: The battle of David and Goliath delivered an instant classic, with Buffalo winning Game 7 on enemy ice.
- Game 1 (TOR 5-2 BUF): Toronto came out strong, overpowering Buffalo.
- Game 2 (BUF 3-2 TOR OT): Mogilny's OT goal stole a crucial win.
- Game 3 (TOR 4-3 BUF): Leafs regain control.
- Game 4 (BUF 5-1 TOR): Sabres respond in dominant fashion.
- Game 5 (TOR 2-1 BUF OT): Toronto edges Buffalo in another tight OT thriller.
- Game 6 (BUF 4-2 TOR): Back home, Buffalo forced Game 7 with a physical, defensive masterclass.
- Game 7 (BUF 3-1 TOR): LaFontaine scores twice, sending Buffalo to the Stanley Cup Final.

🔸 Series MVP: Pat LaFontaine (clutch goals and leadership)
🔸 Biggest Moment: Game 7, LaFontaine’s insurance goal, securing a trip to the Final.

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##🔹 Stanley Cup Final
Buffalo Sabres vs. St. Louis Blues
- Series Result: Sabres win 4-1
- Key Storyline: Buffalo overpowered the Blues, proving they were the team of destiny.
- Game 1 (BUF 4-2 STL): Sabres strike first, outskating St. Louis.
- Game 2 (BUF 5-3 STL): Terreri denies Blues comeback.
- Game 3 (STL 4-3 BUF OT): Blues avoid a sweep in a thriller.
- Game 4 (BUF 3-0 STL): Terreri shuts out St. Louis.
- Game 5 (BUF 4-3 STL OT): The Sabres lift the Stanley Cup in front of their home crowd!

🔸 Conn Smythe Winner: Timo Jutila (outstanding two-way play, game-winning goals)
🔸 Biggest Moment: Stanley Cup-winning goal by Pat LaFontaine in Game 5 in Overtime.

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🏆 Buffalo Sabres – 1995 Stanley Cup Champions
Key Contributors:
- Timo Jutila (Playoff MVP, key goals & defense)
- Chris Terreri (multiple shutouts)
- Pat LaFontaine (Biggest clutch scorer)

🔹 Legendary Moments:
- Coming back from 3-1 down vs. Flyers.
- Sweeping Lemieux’s Penguins.
- Defeating Heavy FavoriteToronto in Game 7.
- Winning the Cup in front of their home fans.

Buffalo’s first-ever Stanley Cup was one of the most memorable runs in NHL history.